Rudolf Hess

Who was Rudolf Hess?

Rudolf Hess was a wealthy academic who had fought in the German Army during the First World War and trained as a pilot in 1918. He later became Hitler's right hand man and deputy Führer.

When was Rudolf Hess important?

Rudolf Hess was important between 1920 and 1941.

What role did Rudolf Hess play in the Nazi Party?

Rudolf Hess was important because of 3 key reasons:

• ❖ He joined the NSDAP in 1920 and became Hitler's deputy in 1933.
• ❖ He took part in the Nazi Party's failed Munich Beer Hall Putsch in 1923.
• ❖ He betrayed Hitler when he flew to Britain in 1941 to ask for peace. He was arrested and treated as a prisoner of war.